Springfield Little Theatre volunteer Cindy Timson has one response to new challenges: face them head on with a smile. Growing up, Timson’s parents encouraged her to explore and learn, even if a task seemed intimidating.

“I followed [my dad] around everywhere and learned how to use just basic drill and saws,” Timson recalled. “My mom was always very encouraging as far as, ‘Hey, if you don’t know how to do it, give it a try. Figure it out. You can do that.’ She was the first one to say, ‘Just try it. What have you got to lose?’”

That philosophy served her well when her daughter, Caddie, showed an interest in performing. Theatre was a completely new world to the Timson family, but Cindy was game and fully committed to the new adventure. Without hope or expectation, Cindy took Caddie to auditions for the play TOM SAWYER.

“This was our very first crack,” Timson explained. “I had never done theatre. I had never done choir except for as an elementary school kid. It really was just the very first exposure to it.”

SLT Executive Director Beth Domann recognized young Caddie’s potential and cast her in her first production. Cindy was thrust into the role of a theatre parent and joyfully embraced the calling of a backstage volunteer.

“At the time, we didn’t know anybody who was involved, but [Caddie] had an interest, so she auditioned for the first time, got in, and was absolutely hooked. We both were,” Timson gushed. “I was just so drawn in by how excited she was and how much fun it was. Beth, [the director], was just so inclusive. She made sure every single person in the cast had a line, so she got her own line. She was like a 3^rd grader at the time. It was such a big deal.”

Caddie was cast in several shows and even went on to join Y.E.S Troupe while Cindy plugged into her own projects at the Landers. She frequently assisted with assembling costumes, even for shows that none of the Timson family performed in.

One dream production for Timson was LES MISERABLES, which is returning to open the 92^nd SLT season this September. Timson assisted with the primary assignment of sewing scarves for the student revolutionaries. She had first watched the musical in London and was thrilled to see it produced in her own community.

“I think the level of the production quality [at SLT] is just so good for such a small town,” Timson marveled. “I’m always so proud when we’re the ones that get the first [licensing opportunities] in the nation. It’s such a big deal.”

Calling on the construction skills she learned from her father and armed with her own set of tools, Timson also began volunteering with the technical team assembling sets. She explained that there is no ‘tool shaming’ at SLT and that volunteers without experience are welcome, but it was a fun outlet to use her experience. Timson most recently put in hours on the SWEENEY TODD set. Seeing audiences appreciate all the work that goes into the show thrills Timson.

“People were there [at SWEENEY TODD] early and some people were dressed up to look like [the characters]. I was like, this is something special. This is really cool,” she reflected. “My participation in the show was small, but there’s something about being in that environment and feeling the excitement of the crowd and knowing I had a part in that that feels so good.”

Timson enjoyed watching her daughter’s interests and abilities blossom as her family became more involved. Her son’s band played in the orchestra pit for THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL and SignalPoint Asset Management, owned by the Timsons, has sponsored SLT shows. The family have also been longstanding season ticket holders.

“We’ve been patron members for years. I will always be,” Timson declared. “I love it. I love the productions they put on. I love the people down there. I love the creative aspect. I love the projects. It’s all project oriented. I love creating something and then moving on to the next thing. Getting to be a part of the buzz of the next show coming and the next show coming is so much fun.”

Timson has truly stepped into every volunteer role, even spending three years on the SLT Board.

“I pretty much figured out that I was way more suited for the creative side of volunteering than the business side,” she laughed. “I 100% appreciated everything of the business side of getting the theatre running. I am so glad those people exist.”

Although Timson has spent most of her volunteer hours behind the scenes, you might have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her onstage. She first stepped into the footlights as Mrs. Pugh in ANNIE alongside her daughter. When both her kids had graduated and left home, she gave herself the empty-nester gift of performing in MAMMA MIA. Rather than remembering that period as a time of mourning with her kids leaving to begin their young adult lives, Timson formed a warm memory of her own.

“MAMMA MIA was something I had always wanted to do,” Timson admitted. “I auditioned in the summer of 2017 and got cast. That production was in September so that was sort of my big, ‘Oh my gosh, I get to do what I want now. I can do my own thing.’ I met one of my absolute dearest friends. We are still best buddies to this day after that show. That was just an incredible experience. Seriously, it was some of the most fun. It was just amazing.”

Both of Timson’s adult kids are thriving today and Caddie continued her career in the arts. She is now an English teacher in St. Charles and is involved in her students’ musicals.

Timson continues to make major contributions behind the scenes at SLT. She feels at home now in the Landers Theatre and adds her own special magic with every screw on a set or stitch on a costume.

“I have heard this so many times over the year: Beth Domann telling audiences, ‘This is your theatre. This is your community theatre.’ It resonates and is absolutely true,” Timson shared.

Join the SLT legacy and find your place at the Landers Theatre this fall.